Running out of fuel

[giroux68]

Either I didn’t fill up all the way last time at the pump or my fuel used was off. End result was the same...engines sputtering to a stop a few hundred yards short of the pumps and the kids asking what just happened. Ended up putting in 54 gallons. Add this one to dumb ass blunders. At least I wasn’t in the middle of the lake.

 

[tabbibus]

how did you get back to the pumps? Paddle?

 

[rrmidden]

I've come close a couple of times, but always made it. Now I don't let it go past 1/4 of a Tank.

 

[giroux68]

Paddled and had the wind going in the right direction. Got the low fuel warning but only used 38gallons. I didn’t put much faith in the gauge, but I should have. Live and learn

 

[haknslash]

I always tried to make it a point to never let it get below 1/4 tank as you just never know when you might need that safety factor.

 

[tabbibus]

I always tried to make it a point to never let it get below 1/4 tank as you just never know when you might need that safety factor.

that.... is a big boat! Hadn't seen your new signature till now. Sexy beast!

 

[Gym]

As I launch and retriev on each outing I will usually refill at a half tank but will absolutely not go below A quarter. That included when I was on a lift for two seasons.

 

[mrtrav]

We let our 195 get down to 25% for our first outing. Took it to the gas station and it only took 15 gallons. I thought it was a 40 gallon tank. So either the gauge is massively off or the tank isn’t as big as I thought.

 

[Bluewater272]

As I launch and retriev on each outing I will usually refill at a half tank but will absolutely not go below A quarter. That included when I was on a lift for two seasons.

Same SOP here. Fuel down to 50% = refuel next time we go. Even though we have fuel readily available where we boat (usually no more than 10 miles away), I just don't like the thought of running out. Maybe I should though, just to get Seatow to bring me a couple gallons and go towards that membership, lol.

 

[n1111z]

I've been thinking about keeping a 5 gal can in a storage locker just in case?

 

[Gym]

I've been thinking about keeping a 5 gal can in a storage locker just in case?

Not the safest idea. You have no venting to address expansion on hot days, no grounding and no positive ventilation to disperse fumes as the engine compartment has.

Not casting any aspersions here and with few exceptions it's always been my belief that anybody running out of fuel is paying more attention to beer onboard rather than fuel onboard. I guess it's my aviation background and the fact that I boat in the ocean that drove this point home. Keep it safe so you can keep it fun.

 

[n1111z]

Good points. I'm a pilot too. Would much rather run out down here than up there.

 

[swatski]

My 0.02

Fuel gauge tends to show different percent of fuel used when on plane, and in no wake. You can run on plane with 20-25% fuel left by the gauge and coming off plane it will show 10 percent and the alarm goes off.
I think that no wake reading is more correct, but the gauge is not very accurate in general and what you do will determine what it shows, if that makes sense.

I found "Gallons used" to be fairly accurate, at least in the Connext boats.

But, one curious thing I find pretty consistently is: "Gallons used" underestimates fuel used if non-ethanol gas is used...By at least 10-15%. I am not sure why that is?



As far as carrying extra fuel, I have been known to bring a spare fuel for longer trips, but only if I feel I need to. I totally agree with @Gym and his view of the risks due to evaporation in un-vented compartments.

But, if anyone wondered, my 240 will securely fit seven 5 gallon jugs in the ski locker and two more in the wet compartments in the stern. Again - that’s only for long continuous trips with no ability to refuel at a pump.

Otherwise I live by the rule "1/3 going out, 2/3 to come back".
It works, most of the time. LOL.

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[Dixie Highway]

@swatski the “Fuel used” is calculated based on injector pulses by the ECU. Non ethanol fuel burns a little differently than ethanol fuel, making the calculation slightly askew. My guess is they have done the calculation based on ethanol boosted fuel (more readily available to a trailer boater), causing an underestimation. Similar to your vehicle on the road, if it’s flex fuel capable it will get approximately 30% fewer MPG running E85 than regular E10. My F150 averages 13 on E85, 18 on E10. Octane rating is higher though, lots of performance guys tune to run E85.

 

[swatski]

@swatski the “Fuel used” is calculated based on injector pulses by the ECU. Non ethanol fuel burns a little differently than ethanol fuel, making the calculation slightly askew. My guess is they have done the calculation based on ethanol boosted fuel (more readily available to a trailer boater), causing an underestimation. Similar to your vehicle on the road, if it’s flex fuel capable it will get approximately 30% fewer MPG running E85 than regular E10. My F150 averages 13 on E85, 18 on E10. Octane rating is higher though, lots of performance guys tune to run E85.

Yep, I assume my "fuel mileage" is most certainly better burning non-EtOH (as compared to regular E10) albeit it's hard to tell exact fuel mileage in a boat.
What surprised me was the reading was off kind of the opposite of what "expected". So, while I most certainly get better range with non-EtOH watching the gauge seemed closer to actual status quo than the "Gallons used" - in that instance.

And by the way, I also get very nice extended range running RIVA reflash on premium (usually 93 non-ETOH), same day/same fuel comparison gives me somewhere around 15%, maybe more, fuel efficiency when cruising (in mid range 5,500-6,500RPM).

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[Dixie Highway]

That’s interesting, maybe there’s a volumetric difference in non E vs E gasoline. I’ll have to look into the reflash

 

[swatski]

That’s interesting, maybe there’s a volumetric difference in non E vs E gasoline. I’ll have to look into the reflash

Let us know what you find, this made me curious.
(It's raining here, I'm depressed, and I can use some discussion of octane and ethanol in fuels, lolol)

Just to be clear (before I get flamed! lol): I'm not peddling RIVA /MaptunerX at all!
FOr example, there is virtually no top speed gains in a N/A engine situation which is usually what people want/expect.
I love the more linear throttle response (albeit somewhat superseded by my constant use of RideSteady - w/the knob) and there are nice power gains in midrange, and better fuel range (although at the expense of premium gas). Also, can occasionally clear a crazy Connext code popping in the middle of a lake.
Not saying it's worth it in general, but for me it probably paid for itself.

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